Gangtok, July 09, 2002 - The process of inventorisation of the wealth of Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, the headquarters of Karma Kagyu sect of Buddhism, suffered a setback on the second day on Tuesday as the key of the main treasure room could not be traced though counting of other monastery articles went on, official sources said.

"The key of the main treasure room of the monastery where the precious articles are kept is not found and the Reserve Bank of India regional Director V K Sharma, who is the court-appointed commissioner, seemed to be reluctant to break open the lock," the sources said here.

Sharma was quoted by sources as saying that he did not have the 'mandate' of the court to break-open the lock to enter the treasure room. However, the senior RBI official continued the process to count the other articles of the monastery, the sources said.

Confirming that the main treasure room's keys had not been found, a spokesman of the monastery said "We thought the key of the room is with the other faction (Karmapa Charitable Trust)" but they denied, adding "the process (of listing other articles) is however continuing".

Meanwhile, a spokesman of the other faction (KCT) said the key should be with the monastery authorities and the matter can now only be settled in the court. The inventory process began in Rumtek on Monday amid tight security following a Sikkim High Court order last month.